Huppert continues living wage campaign with Cambridge University

MP Julian Huppert has joined forces with the Living Wage Foundation to press Cambridge University and its Colleges to pay all staff the Living Wage of £7.65 an hour.

Julian met the Director of the Living Wage Foundation Rhys Moore and the Vice Chancellor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz to discuss how to ensure that this happens.

Julian has been pressing on this issue for a long time and has just completed a survey of which showed that 20 colleges and the University itself now pay their staff the Living Wage - although only one is accredited with the Living Wage Foundation.

“It’s great news that progress is being made in the University and colleges, most of which are now paying the living wage,” said Julian, “and I hope that eventually we can see the change in the remaining colleges. The living wage makes a huge difference to staff. It’s very satisfying to see that colleges that were saying a year ago they wouldn’t do it are now paying a fair amount.

“When we ran Cambridge City Council, we introduced the living wage for all staff there and encouraged contractors working for the council to do the same. And I was delighted to be able to celebrate with Cambridge’s Caffe Sicilia when it became the first food and drink establishment in the city to introduce the living wage for its employees and become accredited with the Living Wage Foundation.

“The campaign is certainly gathering momentum across the city and I hope all employers who can afford to make this change for their employees will decide to do so. It helps them as well as their staff.”

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